Ophthalmic mounting



Oct. 1, 1940. L. L. GAGNON OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Filed Dec. 9, 193'! lNVENTO R 100/; A. Gas/VON BY A ORNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Louis L. Gagnon,

American Optical Southbridge, Mass, assignor to Company, Southbridge,

Mass, a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application December 9, 1937, Serial No. 178,955

6 Claims.

This" invention relates to improvements in ophthalmic mountings and has particular reference to improved lens holding means.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide novel lens holding means of the type which is to be pivotally attached to the lens and having resilient means for easing off the pivotal movement of the lens holding means on the lens.

Another object of the invention is to provide lens holding means having a portion adapted to engage a face of the lens and be pivotally secured to said lens and a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and having a plurality of superimposed resilient members thereon with the ends of each oi said resilient members adapted to engage the edge of the lens.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means of securing the resilient means to the portion which is to overlie the edge of the lens.

Another object is to provide lens holding means having resilient lens edge engaging means formed of a plurality of resilient members of different lengths with theshortest of said resilient members being positioned on the side toward the edge of the lens and progressively arranged so that the longest of said resilient members is on the side furthest away from the edge of the lens but being so arranged that all of the respective ends of said resilient members will engage the edge of the lens regardless of the contour shape of said edge and will be free to flex when under the strain of movement of the lens holding means of the lens. r Another object of the invention is to provide lens holding means having resilient lens edge engaging means iormed of a plurality of superimposed resilient members which when in engagement with the edge of the lens and in normal position of use will have different curvatures of cupping.

Another objectof the, invention is to provide improved means of forming lens holding means of the above character wherein the resilient means will be relatively self adjustable so that all of the ends of said resilient means willengage the edge of the lens regardless of contour shape of said edge.

Another object is to provide lens holding means of the above character with resilient members each having difierent degrees of resiliency.

Other objects and advantages of the invention should become apparent from the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is apparent that many changes may be made in the detail of construction, arrangement of parts and method shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. I, therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the exact details of construction, arrangement of parts and method shown and described as the preferred forms only are given by way of illustration.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. I isa front elevation of a device embodying the invention; I

Fig. II is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. II illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. IV is a view similar to Fig. III of the invention illustrating a further modification.

In previous constructions of lens holding means having resilient lens edge engaging means it has been usual in most instances to provide, particularly in constructions embodying a plurality of resilient members, an arrangement wherein the longest of said resilient members engages the edge of the lens and the other resilient members each engage the respective adjacent resilient member so that the ends of said shorter resilient members engage only the adjacent superimposed resilient member and the ends of the longest of said resilient members only engage the edge of the lens. The resilient members were therefore in close nested relation with each other functioning efiectively as a single resilient member except for slight shifting of each of said members in a longitudinal direction during flexing.

Some attempts have been made to depart from the above construction by placing the shorter of said resilient members toward the edge of the lens but in such instances only the shortest resilient member was in engagement with the edge of the lens and the ends of the remainder of said resilient members were so supported as to not be in engagement with anything. This construction would not provide a desirable friction sliding connection between the various resilient members which, in the past, provided means which functioned incombination with the resiliency of said members to relieve shock and strain on the lens.

This invention, therefore, is directed particularly to the provision of resilient means wherein the ends of each of said resilient members will engage the edge of the lens to providea friction sliding contact therewith and when in position of use on the lens willbe separated relative to each other to enable independent and free flexing of each of said resilient means.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views the device embodying the invention as shown in I comprises a pair of lenses I connected, through the lens straps 2, to a bridge member 3. The lens straps 2 are connected to the lenses by suitable pivotal means 4 and have resilient lens edge engaging means 5 for limiting the pivotal movement'of the strap on the lens.

It will be noted that the lens strap or lens holding means 2 are located substantially along the horizontal center line of the lens and are known in the art as on center typelens straps or lens holding means. This type of strap is illustrated in Fig. II.

Suitable temples B are secured to the upper temporal sides of the lenses by high position type straps I, such as shown in Figs. I and III. These straps or lens holding members are also pivotally connected to the lens as illustrated at 8. The pivotal connection may be of' the commercially known solder lock type, pin, or screw.

Referring more particularly to the on center type strap or lens holding means 2 as illustrated in Fig. II the said strap is provided with a lens face engaging portion 9 which is pivotally secured at 4 to the lens by means extending through an opening It in the lens. The lens strap 2 is also provided with a portion l I adapted to overlie the edge l2 of the lens and is supported in spaced relation with said edge. The portion II in this particular instance has a curved supporting face to which a plurality of resilient members I3, [4 and I5 are secured in superimposed relation with each other by means such as a headed pin member or the like Hi.

The plurality of resilient members are cupped normally to a curvature which is less than the smallest radius of curvature of the edges of ophthalmic lenses now in commercial use and are so arranged in superimposed relation with each other that the shorter of said resilient members is on the side thereof toward the edge of the lens and so that the ends of each respective resilient member will engage the edge of the lens.

Due to the fact that the resilient members are cupped as stated above the said resilient members have to be compressed in order to enable the alignment of the lens face engaging portion 9 with the opening It] in the lens so that the said lens face engaging portion may be pivotally secured to the lens in this position. Compression of the various resilient members, particularly in instances wherein the adjacent edge of the lens has a much more shallow curvature than the curvature of the cupping of said resilient members, causes the respective ends of said resilient members to move to spaced relation with each other. This spaced relation increases with the flattening of the lens edge and thereby so spaces the resilient members relative to each other as to enable them to flex separately of each other. This also permits the ends of each respective resilient member to move forwardly into engagement with the edge of a lens having a relatively short radius of curvature as illustrated by the dash line II. The supporting face H is relatively short in the direction following the edge of the lens so as to permit free flexing of the various resilient members throughout the major portion of the length thereof. Although this supporting face has been described as preferably being formed to a curvature and that this curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of cupping of the adjacent resilient member, it may be formed flat or to any other shape desired.

The various resilient members l3, l4 and I5 may be formed with the same degrees of resiliency or the tension thereof may be varied as desired, that is, the first section [3 may be provided with a greater degree of resiliency than the section I4 and the said section l4 may likewise be provided with a greater degree of resiliency than the section [5 although more rigid than the section [3. This order may be reversed as desired.

In Fig. III the high position strap I is also provided with a lens face engaging portion 18 pivotally secured at 8 to a suitable opening 19 in the lens. The said lens holding means also has a portionZU overlying the edge of the lens. This portion 20 in this particular instance is provided with a projection 2| on the upper side thereof having a supporting face 22, the major portion thereof lying above a horizontal line 23 extending through the pivotal connection 8 to the lens. The supporting face 22 may be curved, flat or of any practical shape desired; it, however is preferably provided with a curve, substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the adjacent resilient means secured thereto. The-supporting face 22 has attached thereto a plurality of resilient members 24, 25 and 26 having characteristics generally similar to the plurality of resilient members I3, I4 and I5. The said resilient members 24, 25 and 26 are secured to the attaching face 22 by a pin like member 21 which extends through aligned openings in the resilient members and is secured within an opening 28 in the supporting face 22 by soldering, welding or other suitable means. The pin member 27 is preferably formed rectangular in cross section or may be formed square, oblong or to any other desirable shape which when positioned in similarly shaped openings in the plurality of resilient members will tend to hold said resilient members in aligned superimposed relation with each other and retain them in this relation during the flexing thereof. To provide a clearance to allow free flexing of the lower portion of the superimposed resilient members the portion overlying the edge of the lens is cut away as illustrated at 29 so as to increase the space between this particular part of the portion overlying the edge of the lens and the said lens edge.

Although the pin member [6 isillustrated as being an integral projection formed on the supporting face II the said pin member l6 may be a separate member and may be secured to the portion I l overlying the edge of the lens by forming a suitable recess and securing the pin member IS in said recess by soldering, welding or threading the said member in said recess.

With all of the above constructions it will-be noted that movement of the lens strap or lens holding means in either direction about the pivot'al connection to the lens will be resiliently limited.

If desired the lens face engaging portion 9 or l8, as the case may be, may be provided with a resilient section 30 or 3| intermediate the portion overlying the edge of the lens and the attachment of said lens face engaging portion to the lens. This will permit flexing in a direction normal to the plane of the lens as well as pivotal movement in the direction of the plane of the lens.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that-simple, efficient and economical means and method have been provided for resiliently limiting the pivotal movement of the lens holding member on the lens wherein the ends of each of said resilient members will have a sliding friction contact with the edge of the lens. Although applicant has shown and described the resilient members as being three in number they may be increased or reduced in number as desired. I

It is to be particularly noted that the resilient sectionsduring use, progressively have diilerent curvatures of .cupping with the "resilient sections nearest the edge of the lens progressively more cupped than the resilient sections furthest away from the edge of the lens. This is particularly true when the various resilient sections have the centers thereof secured in superimposedcontact with each-other as illustrated in Fig. II.

It is to be understood, however, that the order of progressive cupping may be reversed so that the resilient section furthest away from the edge of the lens may have the greatest degree of cupping with the said sections progressively varied as to their cupping so that the resilient sections progressing toward the edge of the lens will have a more shallow cupping with the shortest edge contacting resilient sections more shallow than the others. In this particular instance, in order to provide free flexing of the ends of the plurality of resilient sections separately of each other the said resilient sections 32, 33 and 34 are all supported in alined spaced relation with each other as shown in Fig. IV. This is'accomplished by use of a pin member 35 having a shouldered portion 36 attached to rigidly support the resilient sections 32 and 33 in positive spaced relation with each other and by means of a Washer 31 which is positioned on said pin member between the resilient sections 33 and 34 and which supports the said sections in positive spaced relation with each other by heading over the end 38 of the pin. It is to be understood that this is just one method of securing the plurality of resilient sections to the main body portion 39 of the lens holding means.

The pin member 35 may be formed square, rectangular, or oblong, in cross sectional shape and may be fitted in similarly shaped openings in the resilient sections 32, 33, and 34 to hold the said sections against displacement sidewise.

It is also to be understood that all of the said lens holding members or lens straps may be provided with rigid but pliable backing shoes such as illustrated in dotted lines at 40 in Fig. IV and particularly if it is desired to limit the pivotal movement of the lens holding means or lens strap relative to the lens about the lens connecting means 4 I. The limiting of the pivotal movement may be controlled by adjustment of the backing shoes li toward or away from the edge of the lens.

It is to be understood that the same construction may be applied to any of the lens holding means shown and described.

of said.

. rality of resilient sections are encased within the long section so that the ends of the inner resilient sections are protected. Although the resilient means is formed of a plurality of resilient sections the strain on the edge of the lens caused by the contact of the resilient means with said edge during movement of the lens holding means will be no greater in effect'than that caused'by a single resilient member particularly at each respective point of contact. The resilient means, in addition to relieving shock and strain through the resiliency of each of said sections, all have a sliding contact with the edge of the lens which creates a friction sliding action which tends to aid the resilient means in relieving the shock and strain. The movement of the lens holding means is thereby limited both by the resiliency of the plurality of resilient sections and also by the sliding contact of said sections with the edge of the lens simultaneously.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a lens having a relatively smooth continuous edge, lens holding means comprising a portion engaging a face of and pivotally secured to said lens and a portion overlying said continuous edge of the lens, said overlying portion having a plurality of superimposed resilient members thereon with the ends of each of said resilient members engaging said continuous edge and having separately functioning sliding resilient contact therewith.

2. In a device of the character described for use with a lens, lens holding means adapted to be pivotally connected to said lens and having resilient means for engaging the edge of the lens, said resilient means comprising a plurality of resilient members of difierent lengths which are held together by a single common support for individual flexing movement between said support and the respective ends of the resilient members, the shortest of said resilient members being positioned on the side which is immediately adjacent the edge of the lens and the other resilient members being progressively arranged so that the longest of said resilient members is on the side furthest away from the resilient member which is immediately adjacent the edge of the lens, said resilient members being so arranged that all of the respective ends of said resilient members will engage the edge of the lens when in position thereon and will have free sliding contact with said edge.

3. In a device of the character described for use with a lens having a connection opening therein, lens holding means having a portion adapted to engage a face of the lens and be pivotally secured to said lens and a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens, said overlying portion having a plurality of superimposed resilient members thereon so arranged and shaped that the ends of each of said resilient members will engage the edge of the lens when the lens holding means is in position on said lens and will have free sliding contact with said edge.

4. In a device of the character described, a lens, lens holding means pivotally connected to said lens having resilient means engaging the edge of the lens, said resilient means comprising a plurality of resilient members of different lengths each having their respective ends engaging the edge of the lens with the shortest of said resilient members positioned adjacent the edge of the lens and the other of said resilient members progressively arranged so that the longest of said members is on the side furthest away from the edge of the lens, with the ends of said resilient members having a sliding contact with said edge.

5. The combination of a lens having an attaching opening therein and lens holding means having a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens and be pivotally connected through the attaching opening in said lens and a portion overlying the edge of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having an attaching face with the major portion thereof positioned above a horizontal line extending through the pivotal connection to the lens and a plurality of resilient members secured in superimposed relation with each other to said attaching face above said horizontal line with theends of each of said resilient members engaging the edge of the lens and having a sliding contact with said edge.

6. The combination of a lens having an attaching opening therein and lens holding means having a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens and be pivotally connected with the portion of thevlens having the attaching opening therein and a portion overlying the edge of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having an attaching face with; the major portion thereof positioned above a horizontal line extending through the pivotal connection to the lens and a plurality of superimposed resilient members secured to said attaching face above said horizontal-line with the ends of each of said resilient members engaging the edge of the lens and having a sliding contact with saidfedge, the portion overlying the edge of the lens being cut away below its attaching face to provide clearance for the flexing of the lower sections of said resilient members.

LOUIS L. GAGNON. 

